When you first start thinking about home projects it can get a little overwhelming. How do you find the right contractor? How much money should you pay? Should you finance the project? Will insurance cover any of the costs? First things first. Take a deep breath. We at Bone Dry Roofing want to make sure you understand how to find the right contractor for your job.
Step 1 – Figure out what you want. Are you looking for a new roof, new siding, a chimney repair? How about new gutters? Are you thinking you need some insulation? Or are you thinking you need a kitchen and bathroom remodel? This will help you determine what kind of contractor to look for.
Step 2 – Now that you have determined what kind of contractor you want, make sure to search for that kind. Don’t have a kitchen remodeler doing your roof. Also, don’t have a roofing company working on your hardwood floors. Find one that specializes in the job you need to be done.
Step 3 – Ask friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family if they can refer you to a good company that does the work you are looking for. Word of mouth is by far the best way to find the right contractor for you.
Step 4 – Get multiple estimates. There is no magic number on how many estimates to get, but most people get around 3-4 estimates. When you get an estimate, make sure you are comparing the same type of job/materials/etc. You want to compare apples to apples, not apples to oranges.
Step 5 – Make sure they are insured. Ask for a copy of their insurance! This is vital. Many fly by night companies let their insurance lapse. You want to make sure you stay protected in case of an accident.
Step 5 – Read reviews. Read the reviews on the company website, Google, Angie’s List, Home Advisor and other places you can find them. Read as many reviews as you can. This can give you a broad idea of what other people think of a company.
Step 6 – Ask if they can give you a list of recent references. You want to talk to people who have had work done in the past couple of months. This is a great way to hear personal experiences.
Step 7 – Make sure your contract is detailed. You want it to list line by line what work is going to be done. Do not sign a vague contract. Make sure that what was discussed is written down.
Step 8 – Be wary of a large down payment. Never pay more than 10% of a job up front. Preferably, do not pay anything upfront. You want to protect your money until the job is done to your satisfaction.
Step 9- When it comes to final payment, ask for a final walkthrough of the job. Have them show you everything that was done. If that isn’t feasible, ask them to show you before, during and after photos to make sure you are satisfied completely. Only after satisfaction should you pay.
Step 10- Trust your gut. Listen to your instincts. Only you know what you are truly comfortable with.